Fee increase proposed for alternative fuel vehicles

Owners of alternative fuel vehicles would pay higher registration fees under a bill discussed Feb. 26 by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

LB366, introduced by Brainard Sen. Bruce Bostelman, would increase the current $75 fee to $125 over five years. Increasing the registration fee for alternative fuel vehicles is a way to compensate for a reduction in gas tax revenue, Bostelman said, which pays for road maintenance and repair.

“Due to the nature of their power source, alternative fuel vehicles are not contributing to the care and maintenance of the roads the way motor fuel vehicles are,” he said.

The fee would increase to $85 in 2020, and then increase $10 annually until reaching $125 in 2024.

Testifying in support of the bill was John Brandeau of Papillion. As an owner of an alternative fuel vehicle, he said he is more than happy to pay his fair share.

“If you drive a vehicle on the public roads, you should share a cost in maintaining [them],” Brandeau said.

No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.